How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Tennessee in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in Tennessee earns about $29.10 per hour ($60,530 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $5,044 a month or $1,164 a week. Those figures are useful when comparing job offers that list pay on different schedules. Either way, the numbers point to the same typical paycheck for the role in Tennessee.

Nationally, Surgical Techs typically earn $64,650 a year, so Tennessee pay runs 6% below that figure. That gap places Tennessee 42nd out of 51 states and territories ranked for pay in this occupation. Lower pay in Tennessee usually tracks the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-cost parts of the country. About 3,310 Surgical Techs work in Tennessee, compared with 117,460 nationwide, giving a sense of scale for the local job market.

Entry-level Surgical Tech positions in Tennessee typically offer around $22.89 an hour, or about $47,620 a year, according to the same wage data. Pay for newer techs often lands closer to $51,310 a year after gaining some experience. From there, pay typically moves toward the state's typical figure of $60,530 within a few years. New hires can expect a gradual rise as they build hands-on experience in the operating room.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Tennessee often earn upwards of $64,430 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $75,920. That leaves a spread of $28,300 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual tech lands within that range. Techs working in busier hospital systems or higher-paying metro areas tend to sit closer to the top of the scale.

Tennessee's typical pay for Surgical Techs rose from $38,130 in 2015 to $60,530 in 2025, a gain of $22,400. That amounts to a 59% increase over the decade, according to the same wage data. Pay did not move in a straight line; it dipped slightly in 2024 before climbing again in 2025. Even with that dip, the decade-long direction has been steadily upward.

Nationally, typical pay for Surgical Techs rose 46% over the same decade, so Tennessee's gain outpaced the national trend. That comparison shows Tennessee pay growing faster than the country as a whole, though it started from a lower base. Someone starting in the role now enters at a point where pay has already climbed substantially over the past ten years. Past growth describes what has happened and is not a promise about what comes next.

Pay runs highest in the Nashville-area metro, anchored by Franklin, where Surgical Techs typically earn $63,120 a year, or about $30.35 an hour, 4% above the state figure. These city figures reflect each metro area as a whole, not just the city itself. Murfreesboro and Nashville, part of the same metro area, share that same typical pay. Memphis follows, with typical pay near $61,150 a year, and Chattanooga isn't far behind at $60,900 a year.

At the other end, Clarksville pays the least, with typical pay of $52,510 a year, or about $25.24 an hour, a spread of $10,610 from the top city. Franklin's metro area also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with about 1,120 workers. Lower pay in smaller cities generally tracks a lower cost of living. Where a tech works within Tennessee can meaningfully shape their paycheck.

Among neighboring states, Virginia pays the most, with typical pay of $67,580 a year, about 12% above Tennessee's figure. Georgia also pays a bit more, at $64,010 a year. On the lower end, Mississippi and Alabama both pay about 18% less than Tennessee, with typical pay near $49,810 and $49,420 a year. Surgical Tech credentials earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Surgical Techs in Tennessee typically earn $60,530 a year, a figure that has climbed 59% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, experience, and employer, so it's worth checking current openings for a fuller picture. Readers considering the role can check Tennessee's licensing or registry requirements for Surgical Techs, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to start a career.